We generate knowledge
We promote research and publish findings
One of the main functions of the Barcelona Metropolitan Strategic Plan (PEMB) is to generate knowledge about the reality of metropolitan life and to act as a think tank, thus helping to promote research on various aspects related to the development and future of this city of five million people by producing its own reports and commissioning third parties.
The PEMB also contributes to training on metropolitan issues by helping to organise conferences and courses. The Metropolitan Learning Lab, which channels collaborations with internship students, and the Santacana Scholarship, which supports research, take on a leading role in this section.
Finally, building on its own work, the coordination office generates and circulates knowledge on strategic planning processes, mission-driven innovation and collaborative working methods in general.
The Metropolitan Learning Space (ESPAM) is a training programme that consists of internship placements that the PEMB makes available to the educational community and institutions to support early academic research. There is also an international version of the space, the Metropolitan Learning Lab (MLL), which welcomes students from universities abroad.
Seeking to pay tribute to the late economist Francesc Santacana, who served as the general coordinator of the PEMB for 25 years, the Santacana Scholarship aims to follow his example by promoting, researching and raising awareness about issues related to urban and metropolitan strategies in the 21st century, particularly in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, and by fostering the Association’s links with research centres and universities.
In order to generate knowledge, the coordination office the PEMB primarily focuses on synthesizing the knowledge provided by the wide players of players involved in the work processes that it promotes. To do so, it is often necessary to create reports, whether created internally or commissioned, in order to inform and complement the process facilitation work or to cover a specific aspect that has not been provided so far.
In terms of outreach, the Association focuses on organising activities open to the public, such as the strategic breakfasts, to focus the debate on metropolitan challenges; the "contemplation corner", based on cultural products and activities that promote reflection on urban issues, and the walk through the metropolis, which includes study visits to strategic projects in the region, and publishing articles written by the PEMB or by third parties on the association’s blog.
The PEMB is a space to encourage debate and compare proposals. In this sense, the opinions expressed in the blog, in the studies and in the various activities do not necessarily represent the position of the Association.
The PEMB blog
The PEMB blog is an open space to encourage debate and share ideas. The opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of the Association.
